About Clostridium difficile

What is it?

Clostridium difficile is a bacterium that can cause a range of symptoms from diarrhea to life-threatening inflammation of the colon.

Signs and symptoms

Watery diarrhea 3 or more episodes a day, which lasts more than 2 days, is the most common symptom.

Other common symptoms include:

Fever

Loss of appetite

Nausea

Abdominal pain/cramps

Signs and symptoms of severe infection include:

Watery diarrhea 10-15 episodes a day

Blood or pus in stool

Dehydration

Weight loss

Loose stools during or shortly after antibiotic therapy are common and may not necessarily be due to a Clostridium difficile infection.

Talk to your healthcare provider if you develop diarrhea or any other symptoms while taking antibiotics or if you have any other concerns about your health.

Who gets it?

People at highest risk of infection are:

>65 years of age

Those with serious illnesses

Those who have recently taken antibiotics

Taking antibiotics can disrupt the normal balance of bacteria in a person’s intestines allowing Clostridium difficile bacteria to multiply; this can damage the lining of the intestine causing inflammation of the colon, which results in a Clostridium difficile infection.

Young people and people with no recent antibiotic history can also be infected.

How is it spread?

C. difficile bacteria are spread through the fecal-oral route. If a person touches items or surfaces that are contaminated with feces, then touch their mouth, they can become infected.

Anyone (including healthcare workers) can spread C. difficile bacteria to other people through hand contact.

Where can you be exposed to Clostridium difficile?

Healthcare facilities

Being hospitalized or spending time in a healthcare facility (e.g. nursing home) can put people at risk for infection with Clostridium difficile